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names of the twenty-four, so by you chosen, shall be presented to your said worshipful the mayor, with all convenient speed.

"So help you God."

During the time occupied by the two elisors, in consulting and making up a list of the jurors' names, to be by them presented to the mayor, the sergeant, in the mayor's name, shall specially invite the gentlemen and burgesses that attend this election court, to adjourn for the space of half an hour, and to attend his worship the mayor to the sergeant's house, or any other he has previously appointed, and then and there to regale themselves most heartily with ale, cake, fruit, &c.

When the elisors have perfected their list, notice is given to them, in order that they may return to their duty at the Moot-hall. The sergeant then maketh proclamation, summoning orally all persons to make their special appearance in open court, which of late was adjourned for the space of half an hour, concluding with God save our lawful sovereign. The schedule containing the twenty-four names elected and duly chosen by the elisors, is delivered into the hands of his worship the mayor, who peruses the same, and then delivers it to the grand seneschal, or town clerk, who orders, by pro

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clamation, that all such persons, and burgesses of the borough of Preston, do stand duly elected to be right and lawful jurors, as aforesaid, and that they must answer to their respective names, and present themselves upon the first call. Then they are duly called, separately; upon making their personal appearance in open court, his worship the mayor, perusing the schedule, immediately nominateth one of the number, being a capital burgess of the borough, to be the foreman of the jury, according to ancient and lawful usage. After which he tendereth the following oath to the foreman only :

"You, with the rest of your brethren, are appointed to elect and choose one mayor, one bailiff, and one subbailiff, commonly known by the name of the town's sergeant; you shall also elect and choose one honest, wise, and discreet person, to be mayor of this town, for the next year, beginning at the feast of St. Wilfrid, now next ensuing; one other honest, wise, and discreet person, to be bailiff of this town, called and known by the name of town's bailiff; and one other honest, wise, and discreet person, to be sub-bailiff, commonly called the town's sergeant; which three aforesaid persons, chosen by you, to serve in the several offices aforesaid, shall be inhabitants within this our said borough, and also shall have been

burgesses of the last guild merchant, and such persons as you, in your consciences, shall think fit to use and exercise the said distinct offices, for the good and welfare of this town, and the franchises thereof.

"So help you God."

The following oath is administered to the residue of the jurors :

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"The aforesaid oath which B. C. your foreman, on his part, hath duly taken; you, and every one of you, shall severally perform, on your part.

"So help you God."

On the jurors being duly elected and sworn, they immediately adjourn to the council-house, or chamber, at the door of which the sergeant keepeth watch, lest they be interrupted, or overheard, by any person or persons, during these their deliberations: in this place they are bound to remain, without any meat, drink, fire or candlelight, until all and every of them coincide with each other, upon the charge given in to them. Being therefore all of one mind, they are upon this called into court, and each answering to his respective name, the foreman delivers a schedule of their perfect agreement, containing the names of an elect mayor, town's bailiff, sub-bailiff, or town's sergeant; as was given for their verdict in this

case to them. Which new elect, if not present in court, (as it generally happens he is not,) they send for him; also for the elected bailiff, and sub-bailiff, or town's sergeant. The present mayor then declareth, upon their making their appearance in court, that the jury duly chosen upon this occasion, have freely elected and chosen him for a person fitting to fill the office of supreme magistrate for the succeeding year, thinking that he is a person most worthy of that high office, and in his opinion will reflect honour and reputation upon the borough, and therefore wishes him, without murmur, to accept of the office, wherein he is so unanimously chosen by the jurors, and for to take the respective oaths belonging to the high office of chief governor of this town.

The oaths of allegiance and supremacy are therefore duly tendered to him, which may be seen in Burn's Justice, on reference thereto. The two oaths aforesaid, conclude with the following declaration :—

"I, B. C., do declare and believe, that it is not lawful, upon any pretence whatsoever, to take up arms against the king; and that I do abhor that traitorous position, of taking arms by his authority, against his person, or against those that are commissioned by him.

"So help me God."

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Then he subscribeth the following declaration :

"I therefore well and truly do declare, that their lies no obligation upon me, or any other person, from the oath known by the name of the Solemn League and Covenant;' and moreover, that the same was in itself an unlawful oath, imposed upon the subjects of this realm, against the known laws and liberties of the kingdom.

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The bailiffs' oath is administered as follows:

"You shall therefore well and truly use and exercise the said office of bailiff, during the time of your appointed office, and keep all and every of such office, in all its parts, whole and entire, in all cases of plaintiff, at whose suit or suits, such person or persons were lawfully arrested, and taken into execution within this borough, for any debt or trespass, and to be fully satisfied of his said debt, costs, and damages, to him adjudged; except you otherwise shall lawfully be discharged thereof. You shall also safely keep within your said prison, within your jurisdiction, all such other person or persons, goods and chattels, as shall be lawfully arrested within the borough, until such time as such person or persons, goods or chattels, be duly discharged by sufficient bail therein given, or otherwise provided for. You shall also, from time to time,

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